Though webOS isn't a dead end road according to HP, all HP webOS hardware is. We're still trying to wrap out heads around HP's decision to suddenly kill the TouchPad after only 7 weeks on the market (along with the HP Veer 4G and just-released overseas Pre 3 among others), but HP's already given the go-ahead to retailers to sell TouchPads at fire sale prices. If you're interested in a TouchPad, you should be able to get the 16 gig model for $99 and the 32 gig model for $149 starting this weekend, a fraction of the original prices. Prices have already dropped to these levels at Best Buy Canada and HP's academic online store.

I'm a registered HP developer, and I just received HP's latest developer newsletter signed by Richard Kerris, VP of webOS Developer Relations, and HP states that they're continuing development and support for the webOS app catalog, so the ecosystem isn't entirely dead (if we can believe HP, and they haven't done much to build trust in the past few days). So, the TouchPad should continue to be functional, but I wouldn't count on seeing lots of new apps hitting the catalog any time soon. Though PreWare may continue for some time (the independent app catalog run by the community).

In Kerris' message to developers in the newsletter, he states:"...We will continue to support, innovate and develop the webOS App Catalog. Our intent is to enhance our merchandising and presentation of your great products and to continue to build our webOS app ecosystem.

As many of you are aware, we are currently scheduled to hold many developer events around the world. We are planning to continue with these events, however, due to the recent announcements; the nature of them will change. These updates will be posted on our events registration site this coming week. We are eager to present to you the updated strategy for webOS and to hear your feedback. ..."

So, if you fancy a webOS tablet, prices probably won't get better than this.

Best Buy in the US is not selling the TouchPad at fire sale prices, but they are offering a full refund for TouchPads and accessories purchased from their store or website. If you purchased these items in the past 60 days (which you did, since the tablet hasn't even been on the market 60 days), you can get a full refund.

I just did so, no questions asked. My 16 gig HP TouchPad was tossed in a small pile with other returned TouchPads and accessories at my local Best Buy's return counter. Much as I liked the tablet, I didn't like paying $500 for a dead end product, and I saw little value in keeping it for site coverage (there will likely be no major updates or accessories added to the hardware ecosystem.